right now to do a deal? >> reporter: that is the suspicion that's shared by a lot of republicans taking it, steve, as almost an article of faith of three weeks, a month, that the president actually wants to go over the cliff and i'm not sure if that's true. i have no way of knowing if that's true. i kind of doubt it. if you look at it, the republicans lose a lot of leverage. they have painted themselves in to this corner. there's no denying that fact. john boehner obviously we know what happened last week. sifting through the wreckage of the plan "b." gone back to plan "a," a bill passed by the congress and extending tax cuts for everyone and sent to the senate. they don't expect the senate to take that. use that as a legislative vehicle and what's today? saturday. new year's eve is -- sorry. today's friday. too much holiday cheer. but come on. i mean -- >> he will be working the weekend. >> reporter: i am. oh my god. i don't want to get started on that. but anyway, you know, there's a lot at stake here. and